Ear-removing device



S. E. MORRAL ET AL EAR REMOVING DEVI CE Filed June 4 192 lNl/E/VTOR'S SAMUEL E. MORE/4L. W/LL/AM W, MORRAL.

ATTORNEY Patented Dot. 6, 1925.

nsrrso STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL E. MORRAL AND WILLIAM W. MORRAL, OF MORRAL, OHIO.

EAR-REMOVING DEVICE.

Application filed June 4,

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, SAMUEL E. MonniiL and IL-LIAM XV. MonnAL, citizens of the United States, residing at Morral in the county of Marion and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in EarRemoving Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

This invention relates to an ear removing device for use with corn husking machines and the like and is designed more particularly for use with car removing devices in which the stalk of corn, with the car at tached is presented to snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith and is moved transversely between the snag ping rollers spaced apart a distance suflicient to permit the passage of the stalk but which will remove the ear from the stalk.

Qne object of the invention is to provide a simple efiicient feeding device which will present the stalk to the snapping rollers in a position parallel therewith; and, further, to provide such a device which will not be liable to get out of order or to clog.

A further object of the invention is to provide in connection with such a feeding device means for engaging the stalk and moving it beyond the snapping rollers to a point of discharge.

Other objects of the invention will appear as the device is described in detail.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. 1 is a plan view of an ear removing device embodying our invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudina-l sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modification of the delivery mechanism.

In these drawings we have illustrated the invention as applied to an ear removing de vice of a well known type and have shown only so much of the mechanism as relates to the removing of the car. It will be understood that this ear removing device may be used as a separate machine or may form part of a husking machine or the like and that the mechanism may take various forms.

As here shown the machine comprises a supporting structure or table 1 having mounted thereon a frame consisting of upright members 2 and a transverse top bar 3. Rotatably mounted in this frame are snapping rollers & which, are carried by shafts 5 which are spaced apart to permit the stalk 1924. Serial No. 717,721.

to move between them. The snapping rollers may be of any suitable character but, in the present instance, they are provided with intermediate ear removing portions 6 of such a character that they will sever the car from the stalk. removing portion 6 each roller is provided -with a spiral rib 7 so arranged that when either rib contacts with the butt of an ear of corn it will move the ear and the stalk carrying the same lengthwise of the rollers in a direction to bring the butt of the ear into ngagement with the earremoving portions of the snapping rollers thus automatically positioning the stalk for the removal of the ear. The car which is removed from the stalk drops through an opening in the table 1 to a chute 8 which may lead to the husking devices or to any other suitable point of discharge. Beyond the snapping rollers the table is provided with a downwardly extending portion 9 which acts as a chute to deliver the stalks in a pile at the rear end of the machine. The snapping rollers may be driven in any suitable manner from a convenient part of the machine and are preferably connected one to the other by spur gears 10 to cause them to rotate in opposite directions.

In order to present stalks of corn to the snapping rollers one at a time in a position parallel therewith we have provided the machine with a feeding device comprising one or more spiral rollers or conveyors, as shown at 11. In the present instance, we have employed two of these spiral conveyors and have arranged them' near the respective ends of the snapping rollers. These spiral con.- veyors are arranged on parallel axes extending transversely to the snapping rollers and have their upper or stalk engaging portions arranged to move the stalk in a plane which extends between the snapping rollers so that the stalk will be presented to the rollers in a position to be engaged thereby. Preferably the aXes about which the spiral conveyors rotate extend between the axes of the snapping rollers. As here shown each spiral conveyor is journaled at one end in a bearing 12 carried by the upright members 2 of the frame between the shafts 5 and adjacent to the respective ends of the snapping rolL crs 4. The other ends of the spiral con-- veyors are j ou-rnaled in suitable bearings 13 mounted on the table 1 at a point some dis- 1 ill advance of the snapping rollers and At the opposite ends of the car are connected with suitable mechanism for rotating the same in unison and in the same direction. As here shown each spiral conveyor is provided at its forward end with a beveled gear 14 meshing with a corresponding gear 15 on ashaft 16 extending transversely to the table 1 and driven by a sprocket chain 17 at one side of the machine. A guard 18 extends over the shaft and the gears to prevent the stalks or leaves from entering the'gearing or winding about the shafts. In operation the stalks of corn are delivered to the spiral conveyors in any suitable manner, either by hand or by suitable conveyors, and the stalks are individually engaged by the spirals on the conveyors and moved transversely to their length to, the snapping rollers. The snapping rollers themselves are of such a character that they will carry the stalks between the same but we prefer toprovide an auxiliary feeding mechanism which will positively move the stalks between the snapping rollers and which will convey the stalks beyond the rollers to the point of discharge. This auxiliary feeding device may be either separate from the spiral conveyors or may be directly connected therewith. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the auniliary conveyor is in the form of an endless belt or chain 19 arranged above the path of the stalks of corn and having parts, such as projections or teeth'20, to engage the stalks and carry them beyond the snapping rollers. In the present instance, we have mounted on the top or transverse member 3 of the supporting frame a bracket 21 having arms extending both forwardly and rearwardly therefrom and have mounted on each arm a sprocket wheel 22 about which the chain 19 extends. It will be understood that there is preferably one of these conveyors adjacent to each end of the snapping rollers and, in the present arrangement, the auxiliary conveyor extends for some distance on both sides of the snaprollers so that they will engage the stalks just before they are released by the spiral conveyors and continue their movement through and beyond the snapping rollers. The forward portions of these endless conveyors also serve to retain the stalks in engagement with the spiral conveyors as they approach the snapping rollers. These auxiliary conveyors may be driven from any suitable source of power and, as here shown, they are connected by chains 23 with one of tie snapping rollers. The upright members of the frame have mounted thereon rearwardly extending guides or supporting members 24 arranged to support the stalks as they leave the snapping rollers and having their rear ends curved downwardly adjacent to the ends of the auxiliary conveyors to permit the stalks to drop onto the inclined portion or chute 9 of the table 1,

which delivers them in a pile at the rear end of the chute. If desired, an outer guide 28 may be provided to cooperate with the guide 24 and, as here shown, this outer guide is carried by the rearwardly extending arm of the bracket 21. It will be noted that the lower stretches of the auxiliary conveyor chains extend between the shafts of the two snapping rollers so that they will engage the stalk in advance of those rollers and remain in engagement therewith until it has been discharged from the guides 24.

In Fig. 3 we have shown a modification of the auxiliary feeding device in which it consists of spiral conveyors which are connected with and form continuations of the spiral conveyors 11. As here shown, that portion of each spiral conveyor which extends between the snapping rollers is continued rearwardly beyond the snapping rollers, as shown at 25, the spiral rib being interrupted at the point between the snapping rollers or their shafts so that it will not interferewith the rotation thereof. In this device the forward spiral conveyors present the stalk to the snapping rollers and as it is discharged from the snapping rollers it is engaged by the rear spiral conveyors 25 and carried to the point of discharge. If desirable some means may be provided for retaining the stalks in engagement with the spiral conveyors and, in the present device guide bars 26 are arranged above the respective spirals, extend between the shafts of the snapping rollers and are supported at their respective ends by brackets or arms 27 rigidly Secured to the top or transverse memher 3 of the supporting frame. The forward end portions of these guides are curved upwardly to facilitate the entrance of the stalks of corn. Preferably the rear ends of the guide bars 26 are turned downwardly to guide the stalksinto the chute 9, as shown at 29.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be aaparent that the stalks of corn which are delivered to the spiral conveyors will be presented to the snapping rollers in positions parallel therewith and will be carried between and beyond the snapping rollers to the point of discharge, the ears being removed and permitted to drop through the chute 8. The device is very simple in its construction, positive in its operation and has no parts that are likely to get out of order and thereis small likelihood of the mechanism being clogged or choked down by an accumulation of the stalks, because the stalks are moved inclividua lly toward the snapping rollers and from the same.

Vfhile we have shown and described one. embodiment of our invention we wish it to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to the details thereof as various modifications may appear to a person skilled in the art.

Having now fully described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, and a spiral conveyor rotatable about an axis extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith.

2. In a device oi? the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, and spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending between said snapping rollers near the respective ends thereof and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith.

3. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, and spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and having portions extending between the axes of said snapping rollers, said spiral conveyors being arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith.

4:. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, and spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers near the respective ends thereof, said spiral rollers being arranged to support a stalk of corn in a plane extending between said snapping rollers and to present said stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substan tially parallel therewith.

5. ln a device of the character described, a. pair of snapping rollers, a spiral conveyor rotatable about an axis extending transversely to said snapping, rollers and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith, and means for moving said stalk of corn beyond said snapping rollers,

6. In adevice of the character described, pair of snapping rollers, a spiral conveyor rotatable about an axis extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith, and auxiliary conveyors arranged near the respective ends of said snapping rollers to engage the stalks of corn and move the same beyond said snapping rollers atter the ears have been removed therefrom.

7. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel there with, and auxiliary conveyors arranged near the respective ends of said snapping rollers to engage said stalk of corn and carry the same beyond said snapping rollers to a point of discharge.

S. In a device 01 the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to sup port a stalk of corn in a position substantially paral el to the snapping rollers and to present said stalk of corn to said snapping rollers, and means for supporting said stalk of corn on the other side of said snapping rollers and for moving the same from said snapping rollers.

9. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to support a stalk of corn in a position substantially parallel to the snapping rollers and to present said stalk of corn to said snapping rollers, and endless conveyors each having one stretch thereof extending between the axes of said snapping rollers and arranged to engage the stalkof corn and move the same away tron-ii said snapping rollers.

10. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to support a stalk of corn in a position substantially parallel to the snapping rollers and to present said stalk of corn to said snapping rollers, and endless conveyors arranged near the respective ends of said snapping rollers and each having its lower stretch extending between the axes of said snapping rollers to engage said stalk of corn and move the same beyond said snapping rollers.

11. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to support a stalk of corn in a position substantially parallel to the snapping rollers and to present said stalk of corn to said snapping rollers, endless conveyors arranged near the respective ends of said snapping rollers and each having its lower stretch extending between the axes of said snapping rollers to engage said stalk of corn and 'move the same beyond said snapping rollers, and means for supporting the stalk in engagement with said endless conveyors after it has passed between the snapping rollers.

12. In a t evice of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to support a stalk of corn in a position substantially parallel to the snapping rollers and to present said stalk of corn to said snapping rollers, endless conveyors ranged near the respcetive ends of said snapping rollers and each having its lower stretch extending between the axes of said snapping rollers to engageisaid stalk of corn and move the same beyond said snapping rollers, and means arranged above and adjacent to the respective spiral conveyor-s to retain the stalk in engagement therewith as it approaches said snapping rollers.

13. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to support a stalk of corn in a position substantially parallel tothe snapping rollers and to present said stalk of corn to said snapping rollers, and an endless conveyor arranged adjacent to each of said spiral conveyors, having its ends projecting on both sides of said snapping rollers and having its lower stretch ext-ending between the axes, of said snapping rollers, one end of said endless conveyor serving to hold the stalk of corn in engagement with the corresponding spiral conveyor as it approaches the snapping rollers and the other end of said endless conveyor serving to move the stalk beyond said snapping rollers.

14. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers and. a pair of spiral conveyors having portions arranged on both sides of said snapping rollers, tl e forward portions of said spiral conveyors serving to move the stalk of corn toward said snapping rollers and present the same thereto in a positioir substantially parallel therewith and the other portions of said spiral conveyors serving to move the stalk of corn beyond said snapping rollers.

15. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, a pair of spiral conveyors having portions arranged on both sides of said snapping rollers, the forward portions of said spiral conveyors serving to move the stalk of corn toward sait snapping rollers and present the same thereto in a position substantiallv parallel therebeyond said snapping rollers, and guards to retain said stalks of corn in engagement with said sp ral conveyors.

16. In a device of the character described,

a pair of snapping rollers, a spiral conveyor rotatable about an axis extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel. therewith, and a guide tov receive the stalk of corn from said means and di rect the same toward the point of discharge. 1

17. In a device of the character described, a pair of snapping rollers, a spiral con-- veyor rotatable about an axis extending transversely to said snapping rollers and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith, and cooperating guides extending rearwardly and downwardly and arranged to receive between them a stalk of corn after it has passed said snapping rollers and to direct the same toward the point of discharge.

18. In a device of the character described,

a supporting frame, a pair of snapping rollers mounted on said frame, spiral conveyors rotatable about axes extending between said snapping rollers and arranged to present a stalk of corn to said snapping rollers in a position substantially parallel therewith, brackets carried by said frame above said snapping rollers, endless conveyors carried by said brackets and each having its lower stretch extending between the axes of said snapping rollers, an outer guide carried by each of said brackets and extending downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, and inner guides carried by said frame and spaced from and. arranged substantially parallel with the outer guides.

Intestimony whereof, we aflix our signa tures hereto.

SAMUEL E. MORRAL. WILLIAM IV. MORRAL. 

